Illinois legislator denied patio use

CHICAGO (AP) – A federal judge has denied a request by a former Illinois state representative to expand his home confinement to include use of his patio.

Keith Farnham of Elgin was charged last month with possession of child pornography after investigators searched his home and state office. Videos allegedly depicting child pornography were found on a computer.

The 66-year-old Farnham is free on a $4,500 individual recognizance bond.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Gilbert on Wednesday denied a request allowing Farnham access to his patio. Court personnel indicated during a hearing the patio is out of range of the electronic monitoring device Farnham is required to wear as a condition of his bond.

Farnham resigned from the General Assembly in March, saying he had to attend to “battling serious health issues.”